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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 5, 2000 · Bellanca 260 B · N8865R

Cornelia, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 5, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cornelia, GA
Aircraft
Bellanca 260 B
Tail Number
N8865R
Operator
Paul L Dorn Jr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL00LA032

The pilot stated that he did not obtain much altitude and speed for the short flight. He also reported that the landing gear was not needed to slow the airplane down and was not extended on approach. The pilot reported that he forgot to extend the landing gear before landing, and he did not recall hearing the landing gear warning horn after the throttle was retarded. He also stated that after he exited the airplane and was about 50 feet away, the airplane burst into flames. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or component failures with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to use the checklist, resulting in a wheels-up landing and post-crash fire.

Full Narrative

On March 5, 2000, at 1145 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 260 B, N8865R, landed with the wheels up and burst into flames on runway 24 at the Habersham County Airport in Cornelia, Georgia. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed. The private pilot was not injured. The flight departed Canton, Georgia, at 1130. The pilot stated that during the short flight from Canton, he did not obtain much altitude and airspeed. He reported that the landing gear was not needed to slow the airplane down and was not extended on approach. According to the pilot, he forgot to extend the landing gear before landing, and did not recall hearing the landing gear warning horn after the throttle was retarded. The pilot also stated that after he exited the airplane and was about 50 feet away, the airplane burst into flames. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or component failures with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 EST
Nearest AirportHabersham County (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length4200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 260 B
Tail NumberN8865R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPaul L Dorn Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470F · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data